POP MUSIC REVIEW : Adam Ant Dusts Off His Moves

Yes, Adam Ant, there is a Santa Claus.

The second night of the KROQ-sponsored “Acoustic Xmas” on Sunday proved something of a “Miracle at the Universal Amphitheatre” for the former new-wave teen idol. Making his first concert appearance in nearly five years, the English singer-turned-actor seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the wild response of the young fans, who had sat politely through the three preceding acts on the 10-act bill.

Dusting off his patented moves, the still-fit performer showed he could pose and posture just like the old days. The beginning of another Ant invasion? We’ll see.

Touching as that spectacle was, the evening’s actual musical high point came from Seal. The English pop craftsman, who scored a hit in 1991 with his darkly danceable “Crazy,” made his long-overdue U.S. debut in this show--and what a first impression.

Although his multilayered music was stripped to its acoustic bone, Seal’s powerful voice rocketed his songs into the emotional ether.

Ebenezer Scrooge also appeared, in the guise of three-chord English rockers the Cult. While few of the bands took the acoustic theme completely to heart, Ian Astbury and crew’s only concession was sitting on chairs and turning the amplifiers down to 9 for a dull performance.

L.A.’s own Da Da took the rookie act honors of the night, boosted by its recent KROQ hit, “Dizz Knee Land,” while Michael Penn, the Farm and the Rembrandts turned in competent but uninvolving sets. Duran Duran, Toad the Wet Sprocket and the Soup Dragons made reprise appearances after having been on the roster of Saturday’s show.